Mreža zavarovanih območij v Alpah
ALPARC has created a series of short videos as part of the Be Part of the Mountain initiative, showcasing best practices and key topics related to responsible behavior in the mountains. These engaging videos use dynamic visuals and brief texts to illustrate essential guidelines, such as how to behave around grazing animals or the benefits of using public transport to access mountain areas.
Available in all Alpine languages as well as English, the videos can be used for social media, websites, or educational activities and are accessible to all members of the initiative. Click here to watch all videos (Section 3 - Good Practices).
If you would like to use the videos to raise awareness, you can gain access through this form.
The closing event of the WELCOME project will take place on 27-28 March 2025 at the House of the Mountains in Berchtesgaden!
The event will present and discuss the results of the project's three core themes: an exchange about existing visitor offers of protected areas and their future perspectives, a presentation of emerging trends in Alpine protected area tourism, as well as innovative concepts for new activities, and a reflexion about the limits of visitor growth in natural sensitive areas.
Participation is free of charge and open to all that are interested. Travel and accomodation costs are covered individually by each participant.
We thank the National Park Berchtesgaden for hosting the event!
Click here to find out more about the event and to download the draft agenda.
The project is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).
Est. 2005 (officially labelled since 2012 as a Regional Nature Park)
Goals:
To preserve and enhance cultural and natural landscape; to promote sustainable economic development in the region; and, finally, to promote education for sustainable development and raising awareness for environmental protection
Regional environmental challenge(s):
As Switzerland’s largest regional nature park, Parc Ela comprises a very diverse area geographically, where value creation is to be driven and the exit of young people reduced, while maintaining and protecting the natural treasures. Harmonising the different demands of land use and conservation in a changing world (renewable energy, sustainable mobility, climate change, winter and summer tourism to name but a few) is our big challenge for the present and future.
Successes:
3 oasis for insects built;
4.7 km dry stone walls reconstructed;
8 water bodies established and/or rehabilitated;
about 375 ares of hedges, 1700 ares of moorlands and 10360 ares of pasture landscape and forest area maintained;
more than 16 consultations for insect-friendly gardening
and more than 80 excursions with the childrens’ group “Detectivs” lead through
Learn more about Parc Ela's initiatives and projects on their website.
What do you gain from being an ALPARC member?
We definitely gain an international perspective on transborder challenges we all experience at a local level. We highly appreciate the network and its members who contribute to an active Protected Area community at the Alpine level.
What challenges do you see for protected areas in the coming years/decades?
Among the major threats are to be mentioned climate change, biodiversity loss and growing (summer) tourism which is important on an economic level but needs to be guided wisely.
How important do you think protected areas will be in the coming years?
Protected areas are and will be of crucial importance, as these are the regions where biodiversity can thrive. Moreover, they serve as model regions for sustainable development as they implement concrete projects with a measurable impact on the territory.
What is your advice for those interested in future alpine conservation efforts, or those interested in outdoor alpine activities?
Many things have already been said regarding conservation efforts, unfortunately, people need to experience the detrimental effects biodiversity loss causes before truly believing it and change behavior. Hence, it is crucial to form alliances, join specific projects and cooperate for levelling the topic up and increasing its importance at the political agenda. People interested in outdoor alpine activities shall become acquainted with the area, stick to the routes and follow general recommendations such as those of the campaign Be Part of the Mountain. Moreover, the parc staff and local guides might provide guidance in understanding the interdependence between flora and fauna and provide in-depth insights to the ecosystems which are to be explored.
Any final words of wisdom?
It is important to bravely embrace new paths for challenging the major threats to our living environment.
The AlpsLife project consortium will actively participate in the International Mountain Conference (IMC2025), held in Innsbruck, Austria, from 14 to 18 September 2025.
The conference is currently open for abstract submissions, and the AlpsLife consortium invites interested stakeholders to submit contributions for its focus session: Mountain regions as key biodiversity observatories – challenges and solutions in times of global changes (FS 3.149).
The IMC is the largest conference on mountain research, fostering cross-disciplinary exchange and prioritizing synthesis for a holistic understanding of mountain systems. This session will explore how mountain regions can improve biodiversity monitoring to address global changes, focusing on innovative methods like remote sensing and community-based approaches.
Don’t miss your chance to contribute to this impactful discussion!
To submit an abstract, please connect to the following webpage: IMC25 Submission of Abstracts
Application Deadline: 20 February 2025, 16:00 UTC.
More information about the session: FS 3.149 - Mountain regions as key biodiversity observatories?
For more information about the project: https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/alpslife/
The AlpsLife project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Alpine Space programme, which supports cross-border cooperation projects between seven Alpine countries.
Managing outdoor activities to minimize visitors’ impact on biodiversity: that was the focus of the first pilot site visit of the LiveAlpsNature project (Interreg Alpine Space), hosted by Aree Protette dell’Ossola in Crodo (IT), from February 5th to 7th, 2025.
Director Daniele Piazza and park ranger Radames Bionda presented how wildlife and visitor monitoring serve as the basis for concrete conservation measures. Through field observations, surveys, and spatial analysis, the park established specific quiet zones and regulations, aimed at protecting species particularly sensitive to human presence, such as the black grouse and the rock ptarmigan. Park rangers Marco Rughetti, Dario Gisotti and Luca Martignoni then guided the participants on an excursion across Alpe Devero to Crampiolo. This allowed the group to observe firsthand the park’s actions within both its borders and the nearby Natura 2000 site.
The rangers gave an overview of the main outdoor activities carried out in the protected area and its buffer zone. They explained, for example, how the presence of a small ski lift and the relief conformation particularly suitable for ski mountaineering encourage off-piste descents in areas where these birds build their snow shelters. To avoid human-related disturbance, the park has demarcated winter quiet zones and suggested specific routes for skiers, adopting targeted communication across various media. Practitioners are informed through various media, including open maps and tracks, and panels displaying the park regulations and the behavioural recommendations promoted by the Be Part of the Mountain initiative.
Surrounded by a stunning snow-covered landscape, participants shared experiences from different protected areas and countries, while considering opportunities for future cooperation. Throughout the meeting, ongoing project activities were discussed. Thanks to the partnership's diverse expertise, plenty of valuable input was collected to help shape the next steps of LiveAlpsNature.
It was a pleasure to reconnect, work together, discover the Ossola protected areas and, of course, enjoy Italian cuisine!
For more information about the project: https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/livealpsnature/
The LiveAlpsNature project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Alpine Space programme, which supports cross-border cooperation projects between seven Alpine countries.
© photo: Pietro Merzi / ALPARC
The short report on Digital Management and Monitoring Technologies in Alpine Protected Areas is ready for download in the section below.
The short report on Services by Parks for Visitors, the Population and Local Actors is ready for download in the section below.
Visit of the German Minister for the Environment, Steffi Lemke, to the Triglav National Park on the occasion of the 18th Alpine Conference in Brdo/Slovenia to discuss park management and nature conservation issues in the Alps with the Director of the Triglav National Park, Tit Potocnik, the Director of the Berchtesgaden National Park, Roland Baier, and the Director of ALPARC, Guido Plassmann.
The 10th edition of Youth at the Top was a complete success, bringing together around 350 young people in almost thirty locations in the Alps and the Carpathians on 18th and 19th July. The participants focused on the common theme "Alpine Flowers and Pollinating Insects".
A video is now available both on our website and on YouTube, showing the various activities of participants from all over the Alps in the Youth at the Top event 2024.
The next edition of Youth at the Top will take place on 17 July 2025 (or on another day during the week of 14-20 July) and will be a time of learning and discovery for young people around the common theme of "Our footprints in the Alps".
Click here for more information on Youth at the Top 2025!
The year 2025 began on a high note for the Alpine protected areas community with the 29th Danilo Re Memorial. This edition, perfectly organized by the Swiss National Park (CH) in collaboration with ALPARC, was a great success, marked by enthusiastic participation of the teams and memorable times spent together.
The Opening Day
The event kicked off on Thursday, January 16th, with the traditional and well-attended parade of teams. This year’s parade featured a special performance by the choir Cor dal Parc, setting a festive tone for the celebrations. Park delegations paraded through the picturesque streets of Scuol, culminating at the municipal house, where official greetings were delivered by local authorities and the ALPARC President Peter Oggier.
A particularly touching moment followed as Cor dal Parc performed Signore delle Cime in memory of Mauro Fissore, a colleague and friend who sadly passed away in 2024.
The evening continued with the popular Alpine Buffet at the municipal house. This annual tradition gave participants the chance to taste regional food from across the Alps while enjoying music, spontaneous dancing, and great friendship.
The General Assembly
Friday was an important day highlighted by the ALPARC General Assembly and a seminar for rangers. The morning session was dedicated to the General Assembly, the most important meeting of the year for the association. Highlights included the presentation of ALPARC's 2024 Activity Report and constructive discussions that confirmed the cohesion of ALPARC members. Key decisions, including the election of a new Board of Directors, were made with unanimous support.
In the afternoon, the Ranger Seminar provided an opportunity for park rangers to share experiences and initiatives from their respective protected areas. With approximately 190 participants, the seminar fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, showcasing innovative solutions and inspiring collaboration for the management of Alpine protected areas.
The Trophy
Saturday was dedicated to the exciting Danilo Re Trophy competition, in which 48 teams competed in four disciplines: ski mountaineering, giant slalom, cross-country skiing and shooting. Blessed with excellent weather and the warm hospitality of the Swiss National Park, the day was a celebration of sportsmanship and Alpine culture. The evening culminated in a gala dinner in a spectacular high-altitude venue. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the various award ceremonies for the winning athletes and parks, live music and dancing.
We congratulate the overall winner of the sports competitions: Aree Protette delle Alpi Marittime!
To see all of the individual and team rankings of the competition, click here.
At the end of the event, the trophy flag was ceremoniously handed over by the Swiss National Park (CH) to the Triglav National Park (SI), host of the 2026 edition. The entire community looks forward to another successful gathering next year, continuing the valuable heritage of the Danilo Re Memorial.
More information about the events as well as a photo gallery of our colleagues from the Swiss National Park are available on the Danilo Re Website.
Photo 1 & 4: ©Parc Naziunal Svizzer -Fadri Wehrli
Photo 2 & 3: ©ALPARC - Guido Plassmann
The 29th edition of the Memorial Danilo Re will be hosted by the Swiss National Park and takes place from January 16th to January 19th 2025.
For many years now, the annual Memorial Danilo Re provides a major opportunity for all those working in Alpine Protected Areas to get acquainted with one another, in particular those in the field, carrying out surveillance, facilitation and fact-finding missions. The event comprises a sports competition (known as “The Danilo Re Trophy”), a theme-based seminar and a range of other activities for all participants to enjoy together.